In an image coding method, an area of interest is specified in a captured image displayed on a display section. Positional information of the area of interest is obtained. The compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of the remaining area are set in such a manner as to differ from each other on the basis of the positional information. Coding of the area of interest and coding of the remaining area are performed on the basis of the corresponding compression rates.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image coding method comprising: receiving from a user a command specifying an area of interest in a captured image displayed on a display section through a pressure sensitive input device, the command indicating areas of no pressure on the input device as not in the area of interest, areas of low pressure on the input device in the area of interest, and areas of high pressure on the input device in the area of interest; obtaining positional information of the area of interest; setting the compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of a remaining area in such a manner as to differ from each other on the basis of the positional information such that a compression rate not in the area of interest is greater than a compression rate in the areas of low pressure, and the compression rate in the areas of low pressure is greater than the compression rate in the areas of high pressure; and performing coding of the area of interest and coding of the remaining area on the basis of the corresponding compression rates.
2. The image coding method according to claim 1 , wherein the compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of the remaining area are set in accordance with a target amount of code.
3. The image coding method according to claim 2 , wherein the target amount of code is set with respect to one frame of the captured image.
4. The image coding method according to claim 2 , wherein the target amount of code is set with respect to the time unit of the captured image.
5. The image coding method according to claim 1 , wherein a predetermined tracking object is recognized from the area of interest, and the area of interest is changed in accordance with the movement of the tracking object.
6. The image coding method according to claim 1 , wherein the area specified once as an area of interest is continued to be specified as an area of interest for a predetermined time.
7. The image coding method according to claim 1 , further comprising: dividing the area of interest into a plurality of blocks; and setting a compression rate for each block to a different value.
8. An imaging apparatus comprising: a display section configured to display a captured image; a pressure sensitive input section configured to obtain positional information of an area of interest specified in the captured image displayed on the display section, the pressure sensitive input section configured to indicate areas of no pressure on the input section as not in the area of interest, areas of low pressure on the input section in the area of interest, and areas of high pressure on the input section in the area of interest; a control section configured to set the compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of a remaining area in such a manner as to differ from each other on the basis of the positional information such that a compression rate not in the area of interest is greater than a compression rate in the areas of low pressure, and the compression rate in the areas of low pressure is greater than the compression rate in the areas of high pressure; and a compression section configured to perform coding of the area of interest and coding of the remaining area on the basis of the corresponding compression rates.
9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of the remaining area are set in accordance with a target amount of code.
10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the target amount of code is set with respect to one frame of the captured image.
11. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the target amount of code is set with respect to the time unit of the captured image.
12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the input section specifies the area of interest by applying pressure to the display section.
13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control section recognizes a predetermined tracking object from the area of interest and changes the area of interest in accordance with the movement of the tracking object.
14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the input section is a touch panel.
15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the area specified once as an area of interest is continued to be specified as an area of interest for a predetermined time.
16. The image coding apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control section is configured to divide the area of interest into a plurality of blocks, and to set a compression rate for each block to a different value.
17. A computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving from a user a command specifying an area of interest in a captured image displayed on a display section through a pressure sensitive input device, the command indicating areas of no pressure on the input device as not in the area of interest, areas of low pressure on the input device in the area of interest, and areas of high pressure on the input device in the area of interest; obtaining positional information of the area of interest; setting the compression rate of the area of interest and the compression rate of a remaining area in such a manner as to differ from each other on the basis of the positional information such that a compression rate not in the area of interest is greater than a compression rate in the areas of low pressure, and the compression rate in the areas of low pressure is greater than the compression rate in the areas of high pressure; and performing coding of the area of interest and coding of the remaining area on the basis of the corresponding compression rates.
18. The computer readable medium according to claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises: dividing the area of interest into a plurality of blocks; and setting a compression rate for each block to a different value.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 23, 2005
December 8, 2009
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